How do you honor your husband and not wear your wedding ring?
It’s a question I never thought I would have to ask.
Yet it’s one of the most common questions widows silently wrestle with.
When my husband, Quintin, unexpectedly passed away on April 9, 2024, I became part of a club nobody wants to join.
A widow.
A title I never wanted.
A title I certainly wasn’t prepared for.
And while there were countless decisions to make in the days, weeks, and months that followed, one decision seemed to linger longer than all the others.
What do I do with my wedding ring?
The Night My Husband Died
My journey with my wedding ring actually began the night Quintin passed away.
As I knelt beside his lifeless body, I desperately wanted answers.
I wanted to ask God why.
Why him?
Why now?
Why us?
Why our children?
I was angry.
Heartbroken.
Confused.
Completely shattered.
I wanted to demand answers from Heaven.
But kneeling there beside the love of my life, all I could do was lift my hands and give thanks.
Not because I understood.
Not because I agreed.
Not because I wasn’t devastated.
But because I couldn’t deny what a gift he had been.
A gift as a husband.
A gift as a father.
A gift as my best friend.
A gift that I had been blessed to love for nearly 25 years of marriage and 30 years together.
My heart was breaking while simultaneously thanking God for every year we were given.
Grief and gratitude occupied the same space.
Looking back now, I think that’s why my wedding ring became so complicated afterward.
Because it wasn’t just jewelry.
It was proof that he had been here.
Proof that our love story was real.
Proof that all those years actually happened.
Why I Kept Wearing My Wedding Ring
For nearly a year, I continued wearing my wedding ring.
At first, I couldn’t imagine taking it off.
But if I’m honest, there were other reasons too.
The ring made me feel safe.
A wedding ring creates a boundary.
People see it and assume someone is waiting for you at home.
As a woman navigating the world alone for the first time in decades, there was comfort in that.
The ring felt like armor.
A shield.
A small piece of the life I had lost.
Yet wearing it also created new challenges.
People would see the ring and ask about my husband.
“What does your husband do?”
“How long have you been married?”
Questions that seem innocent until your husband is no longer here to answer them.
Every question forced me to decide whether I had the emotional energy to explain my story.
Every question reminded me of what I had lost.
The Questions Nobody Sees
As time passed, I found myself wearing the ring some days and leaving it off on others.
There wasn’t a grand plan.
No announcement.
No timeline.
Just a grieving widow trying to figure out how to live in a reality she never wanted.
And while I was quietly wrestling through that process, people noticed.
For more than a year, messages rolled in.
“Why aren’t you wearing your ring?”
“Did you take your ring off?”
“What happened to your wedding ring?”
Some asked gently.
Others made assumptions.
Still others offered opinions.
Many people would tell me:
“Honor your husband and wear your ring.”
As if honoring Quintin was somehow attached to a piece of jewelry.
As if the depth of my love for him could be measured by what was or wasn’t on my finger.
The truth is, I wasn’t hiding anything.
I simply wasn’t ready to talk about it yet.
Because this wasn’t really about a ring.
It was about grief.
Identity.
Faith.
And learning how to trust God in a chapter I never wanted.
So I held that story close until now.
The Ring Became Something Different
As April 2025 approached, I realized something had shifted.
Not in my love for Quintin.
Not in my memories.
Not in my gratitude for the life we shared.
But in how I viewed the ring itself.
One of the biggest turning points came during my first trip after Quintin’s death.
For the first time, I left my wedding ring at home.
Not because I was ready.
Not because I wanted to.
Not because I had somehow “moved on.”
I left it because I was terrified of losing it.
God forbid something happened to me.
God forbid there was an accident.
God forbid my children had to walk through another unimaginable loss.
One thought kept running through my mind:
“What if my kids never receive this ring?”
For years I had viewed my wedding ring as a symbol of my marriage.
But now I saw something different.
I saw legacy.
I saw family history.
I saw a tangible reminder that their dad was here.
That our love story was real.
That a man named Quintin Conway loved their mom with everything he had.
And suddenly I wasn’t just thinking about Lily and Ella someday holding that ring.
I was thinking about Kale.
I was thinking about Fisher.
I was thinking about all four of our children.
About future spouses.
Future grandchildren.
Future generations.
About stories that would be told long after I am gone.
The ring was no longer just mine.
It belonged to our family’s story.
Every time I slipped my wedding ring onto my finger, I began sensing something in my spirit.
Not guilt.
Not pressure.
Just a gentle reminder.
“Lori, I am still here.”
Because while marriage was one of God’s greatest gifts to me, it was never meant to be my identity.
Marriage is for this earthly life.
My identity has always been found in Christ.
That truth was difficult to accept.
For decades I wasn’t just Lori.
I was Quintin’s wife.
Mrs. Conway.
His person.
And suddenly God was asking me to trust Him with an identity I never wanted.
A future I never chose.
A chapter I never would have written.
The more I prayed, journaled, worshipped, and processed my grief, the more I realized God wasn’t asking me to let go of Quintin.
He was asking me to trust Him.
Trust Him with my memories.
Trust Him with my future.
Trust Him with my identity.
Trust Him with what comes next.
Why I Started Wearing My Promise Ring Instead
Instead, I began wearing my promise ring.
The ring Quintin gave me before wedding bands.
Before mortgages.
Before children.
Before careers.
Before nearly 25 years of married life together.
Wearing that ring reminded me where our story began.
And for the first time, I stopped seeing my wedding ring as something I had to wear.
I started seeing it as something I was entrusted to protect.
An heirloom.
A treasure.
A legacy.
The Mrs. Box Ring Ceremony
Months later, God brought all of those emotions full circle.
I found myself attending the Never Alone Widows Retreat at Pursell Farms in Alabama.
Hundreds of widows.
Hundreds of stories.
Hundreds of broken hearts.
And yet there was hope everywhere.
Women learning how to breathe again.
Women learning how to trust God again.
Women learning how to walk through grief one day at a time.
During the retreat, each widow received a beautiful Mrs. Box.
Then came the ring ceremony.
An invitation.
Not a requirement.
Not pressure.
Simply an invitation.
When we were ready, we could place our wedding rings inside.
I remember holding that box and crying.
Because it wasn’t really about the ring.
It was about surrender.
Surrendering the identity I had known for decades.
Surrendering the fear that taking off my ring meant letting go of Quintin.
Surrendering the belief that my love for him was somehow attached to a piece of jewelry.
Trusting that honoring my husband and trusting God with my future could both be true.
And there, surrounded by women who understood this unique grief, I placed my wedding ring inside the box.
Not because I stopped loving him.
Not because I was moving on.
Not because our story ended.
But because God had already done a work in my heart.
Truthfully, I had taken my wedding ring off for the final time in April of 2025.
The ceremony wasn’t the moment I removed it.
The ceremony was the moment I surrendered it.
The Gift of Widow Sisters
One of the greatest gifts from that retreat wasn’t the box.
It was the women.
Women who understood.
Women who didn’t need explanations.
Women who knew exactly why a ring could feel so heavy.
Women who knew grief and gratitude can coexist.
Women who reminded me I wasn’t alone.
This retreat was the start of my healing and not moving on rather moving through my grief and giving myself permission and ultimately choosing for grief and gratitude which leads to joy to co-exist.
There Are Times Your Soul Needs To Praise
As I placed my ring inside that Mrs. Box, I wasn’t saying goodbye.
I had already said thank you.
The night Quintin died, I thanked God for the gift of his life.
This moment felt like thanking God again.
Thank You for the marriage.
Thank You for the memories.
Thank You for the laughter.
Thank You for the children.
Thank You for the love story.
And thank You, Lord, for carrying me into a future I never would have chosen.
A Ring Doesn’t Determine Love
The truth is this:
The ring came off.
But the love remained.
The memories remained.
The lessons remained.
The legacy remained.
The children remained.
And God remained too.
Taking off my wedding ring didn’t mean I loved Quintin less.
It didn’t mean I forgot him.
It didn’t mean I was moving on.
It meant I was trusting God.
Trusting Him with my grief.
Trusting Him with my identity.
Trusting Him with whatever comes next.
If You’re a Widow Reading This
Maybe you’re wondering whether it’s time.
Maybe you’re feeling guilty.
Maybe you’re afraid of what people will think.
Maybe you’re afraid of what it means.
Let me gently remind you:
There is no widow rulebook.
There is no timeline.
There is no right or wrong answer.
Some widows wear their rings forever.
Some take them off after months.
Others after years.
The ring is simply a symbol.
The love remains.
Always.
And if you’re walking through grief today, let this be your reminder:
There are times when your mind simply cannot process reality.
The questions are too big.
The pain is too deep.
The circumstances make no sense.
In those moments, your soul needs to praise God.
Not because everything is okay.
Not because you understand.
Not because you’ve healed.
But because worship reminds your heart of what is true when your circumstances make no sense.
So worship your way through it.
Praise your way through it.
Sing through the tears.
Sing through the anger.
Sing through the heartbreak.
Sing until your soul remembers who God is.
Sing until hope returns.
Sing until you can breathe again.
Sing until you are healed.
Because healing doesn’t come from a ring.
Healing comes from the One who never leaves.
And even now, in the chapter I never wanted, He is still here.
❤️🩹
If you are a widow please comment below and let me know what you have decided to do with your wedding ring? There is not one right way for healing, so please feel free to be raw and vulnerable here you are welcome. Also, if you are looking for resources please visit HERE- NEVER ALONE WIDOWS to get connected on taking a step toward your grief healing journey!
It’s been 5 years since my husband passed and I still wear my rings. I’ve tried taking them off at my house but I almost feel like I’m running around naked or something. It’s a mental struggle. Like you I use them as armor to protect myself. Thank you for being transparent in your grief story. It does help others like me who need the encouragement to find joy and laughter after loss.
Boomz, thank you for sharing this. ❤️ The way you described your rings feeling like “armor” really resonated with me. I think so many widows will understand exactly what you mean.
There is no expiration date on wearing your rings. Five years, five months, or fifty years—it is such a personal decision. I truly believe God gives each of us peace in His timing, not anyone else’s.
Thank you for reminding everyone that joy and laughter after loss don’t mean we’ve stopped loving the person we lost. They simply mean we’re learning to live while carrying them with us. I’m so grateful you’re here. 🤍
I lost my beloved in a motorcycle accident in May, 2024. We were married for 36 years. I wear my wedding ring and his below it, mine keeps his on my finger. I twizzle it around daily, I look at it and recall how it looked on his hand. I loved his hands. I’m at a loss……I loved our life togther and I always felt so safe, being married, belonging to someone. I belong to Jesus, first and foremost, but here on earth, I was Barry’s girl. I always will be……thank you for sharing your heart with us. Bless you.
Jayne, your comment touched my heart. ❤️ When you wrote that you still twirl your rings and remember his hands… I felt that. It’s amazing how something so small can hold so many memories.
I also love what you said about belonging to Jesus first, but being Barry’s girl here on earth. What a beautiful way to honor both your faith and your marriage.
There is no timeline for grief or for taking off your rings. The love you shared for 36 years doesn’t disappear—it simply becomes part of who you are. Thank you for sharing a piece of Barry with us. I’ll be praying for you as you continue taking one day at a time. 🤍
Lori,
Im truly sorry you lost your Q and the future you had planned together. When you lost Q, my heart broke for you and the kids. I’ve followed you and your family for a long time and little did I know I’d lose my Cody just over a year after Q passed. As of today my Cody has had his big ol angel wings for a year and 12 days.
Cody and I have a crazy beautiful story with our wedding rings, which i wear both of them every day. I wear mine on my left ring finger and his on a necklace he gave me with a cross.
Sept 2011 we were married in Maui, HI at sunset. The ministry blessed the ground we were to be married on, blessed our rings, us each individually and once we were married he blessed us as a couple.
In 10/2020, I had left my wallet in my car with my wedding ring in it because I can’t wear it at work. That night I left my car in the driveway because I had been cleaning in the garage and I wasn’t finished. I thought i had locked my car but I didn’t. That night some kids were going around stealing stuff out of cars and they got my wallet. Once I realized what they had taken my heart was shattered. The sheriff’s dept wasn’t any help at all. I didn’t have any really great pictures of it at the time so I went to the jeweler to have him draw it up so I could search the pawn shops. About a week later a police officer from a neighboring town called me and asked if I had lost my wallet. I told him what happened, described the wallet and told him exactly where the ring would be if it was still there. He asked if it was a single diamond and I said yes, and instantly cried with joy and gratitude!!!
In 2022, Cody and I had bought a side X side and went for a day ride with some friends to a restaurant by a lake. When we got back and loaded up the side X side and headed down the canyon Cody realized his ring was gone. I called our friends right away and they looked all over the parking lot for his ring and didn’t find it. Several days later the same friends went for a ride back to the restaurant and asked a cook there if anyone had found and turned in a man’s wedding ring and the cook pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to them. Cody and I didn’t know anything about this. Our friends called us the next evening and asked us what we were doing and we were headed to dinner, they asked to join us, of course we said the more the merrier. As we sat down chatting our friend Brett asked if we was missing this and he bounced the ring across the table to Cody and the excitement and confusion of it all was overwhelming. THEY FOUND HIS RING, I of course was crying!!! They told us the story and apparently when we got to the restaurant Cody had taken his gloves off and the ring came off with them and fell on the ground right we where we was parked, that’s where the cook found it! Oh my gosh the gratitude for all these things to happen to bring his ring back home, only God!!!
Then in 2024 Cody was helping my sister and her husband remodel my nephews bedroom while he was deployed with the Army. They had been doing demo and ripping out walls and carpet and filled up a dump trailer full. When Cody got home that night and got in the shower he realized his ring was gone for the second time. We called my sister to let them know not to dump the trailer because Cody’s ring was missing. My sister and brother in law went and combed through every single thing on that trailer and in the bottom of the very last bag there it was covered in dirt and debris.
Cody and I both believe that the only reason our rings came back to us all 3 times it because they were sincerely blessed by this minister at our wedding. Only God!!!!
Michelle,
Thank you for sharing your story with me. I sat here reading every word with tears in my eyes.
First, I am so sorry you are walking this road too. It breaks my heart that after following our family’s journey, you found yourself facing the same unimaginable loss just a short time later.
What struck me most was the incredible story of your wedding rings. Not once, not twice, but three separate times God made a way for those rings to find their way back to you and Cody. The odds of that happening are almost impossible, yet there they were. What a beautiful reminder that some things are simply God moments.
I can completely understand why those rings hold such significance for you. They aren’t just jewelry—they represent a covenant, a love story, a life built together, and countless memories with Cody.
One thing grief has taught me is that there is no right or wrong way to honor our spouses. Some wear the rings. Some don’t. Some wear them forever. Some take them off one day. None of those choices determine the depth of our love.
Thank you for trusting me with such a personal piece of your story. Cody sounds like he was deeply loved, and reading your words, it’s obvious that love continues today.
Sending you a huge hug from one widow’s heart to another. ❤️
— Lori
P.S. With you mentioning Maui and your wedding at sunset, it feels especially fitting that I’m headed there with my family this summer. Your story was a beautiful reminder that God is present in both our greatest joys and our deepest sorrows. ❤️
It will be 2 yrs June 30, 2024. We were married 56 years and I was truly blessed to have so many years together. I was my husband’s care taker 24/7 for the last 3 years of his life. I didn’t wear my ring’s because I was always taking off and putting on gloves. He had Alzheimers and I grieved every day as my husband slowly died. I had mixed feelings after his death. I was so relieved and thankful that he was no longer suffering but grieved the reality that he was gone from this life. He loved the Lord with all his heart and was ready to go home. After he died I did put my ring’s on when I would go out of the house but I would also forget to put them on sometime. I still wear them sometime’s but I do wear rings on my left and right hand. I’m planning on doing something with his ring that I will wear on my middle finger or on a necklace.
Louise,
Thank you for sharing your story. Fifty-six years of marriage is such a beautiful testimony to love, commitment, and faithfulness.
What really stood out to me was your honesty about the mixed emotions that came after your husband’s passing. I think so many caregivers experience that same tension—being heartbroken that their loved one is gone while also feeling relieved that their suffering has ended. Both emotions can exist at the same time, and neither one diminishes the love you had for him.
Alzheimer’s is such a long goodbye, and it sounds like you loved him faithfully through every step of that journey.
I also love that you’ve given yourself permission to wear your rings in the way that feels right for you. There truly is no rulebook for this. Whether they’re on your finger, around your neck, or tucked away for a season, the love they represent remains the same.
Thank you for reminding all of us that grief and gratitude can coexist.
❤️ Lori
Lori, you gave me alot to think about.i lost my husband almost 3 years ago. I still wear my rings when I leave the house…you’re right, I feel safe,it reminds me of him and how I wish things were. Im 62, we were married 41 years,together 43…its just been terrible. Could not survive without Jesus! Thank you for your vulnerability and willingness to help other widows. Much love!
Kim,
Thank you for sharing your heart with me.
Forty-one years of marriage is a lifetime of memories, traditions, and love. I can completely understand why wearing your rings still brings comfort and helps you feel connected to your husband.
One thing I’ve learned on this journey is that there isn’t a right or wrong timeline and there isn’t a right or wrong way to carry our love forward. The rings don’t define the love. They simply represent a love that will always be part of us.
I smiled when you said you couldn’t survive without Jesus because I feel that deeply. There have been so many moments when His strength carried me when I had none of my own.
Thank you for your encouragement and for being willing to share your story with us. ❤️
— Lori
Since your Dear Q’s passing was just a mere 5 months before my own loss, I have often felt that you have led me through this dark tunnel, shining light on the path that feels so crazy and overwhelming. You may only be a few steps ahead of me in this journey, but your honest words have helped me feel like I am not alone, and I am not losing my mind. I can relate to everything you’ve expressed. Who knew the decision to wear or not wear a little piece of jewelry could be so complicated and fraught with emotion. My husband died suddenly in September 2024. I wore my ring for almost a year, until August, the month that would have been our 36th anniversary. It was then that wearing the ring began to feel like a misrepresentation. I decided to take it off with the thought that I could always put it back on if I wanted to. My sweet family had given me a beautiful ring for Christmas with a cross and a cardinal on it. I began to wear that it its place, because after 35 years, having a bare ring finger was extremely uncomfortable. My wedding ring now sits with his in a ring holder on the dresser. No plan for now, just taking it one day at a time.
Donna,
Your comment brought tears to my eyes.
To think that our journeys began only months apart and that God has used my words to help you feel a little less alone is incredibly humbling. The truth is, so many of us are stumbling through this dark tunnel together, helping each other find the next step when we can’t see very far ahead.
I smiled when you said that such a small piece of jewelry could carry so much weight and emotion. Before becoming a widow, I never would have understood either. Yet here we are, discovering that a ring can represent love, identity, memories, and an entire lifetime.
I love that your family gifted you a ring with a cross and a cardinal. What a beautiful reminder of both faith and love. And I think your decision to simply take it one day at a time is exactly right. There is no timeline and there are no rules.
Thank you for walking alongside me on this journey. Your words were a gift today.
❤️ Lori
Thank you ❤️🩹
My dear husband, Jim, passed unexpectedly on April 28, 2026. We were together 46 years, married for 36. My wedding band was a plain gold band that was his mother’s. He had three other brothers who married before him, but his mother chose to give her wedding band to me. That made it all the more special. The only time it was ever off my finger was if he took it off of me (prior to surgeries).
After he passed, I learned of a place called LegacyTouch. They make jewelry embossed with the fingerprints of your loved ones. I had them to make a band that has his fingerprint embossed all the way around. It brings me comfort to see the print and wear the ring. I know the vow is “till death do us part” but I look forward to the day we will be reunited again.
Debi, thank you for sharing your story with me. ❤️ First, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband, Jim. Forty-six years together is such a beautiful testament to a lifetime of love, and I can only imagine how precious that wedding band must be knowing the history and meaning behind it.
I love the way you’ve honored him and carried his memory forward. The fingerprint ring sounds absolutely beautiful and what a special reminder of the bond you shared. Thank you for sharing that resource with me and others who may be looking for meaningful ways to memorialize their loved one.
Like you, I find comfort in knowing that while “till death do us part” marks the end of our earthly marriage, it is not the end of our story. What a beautiful hope we have in Christ—that one day we will be reunited again. 🙏❤️
Thank you for taking the time to share your heart with me. Sending you love and prayers as you navigate these early days of grief. ❤️
I have been a widow for the second time since 2014 after 40 years of marriage. The first was 1969 after 9 yrs. I was only 26 with a little girl to raise and a house to pay for. Both died of cancer. I really don’t see what a ring has to do with anything. It’s a symbol but doesn’t make you more or less married. People just need to stay in their lane and mind their own business. Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes and then you can give an opinion. I wear a wedding band because I want to but I’m an old lady. It’s not my original but it makes me feel better. My option and mine alone. You do what you feel is right for you and your family. You’re a beautiful young woman and I pray that you find love again. It may never be the same but it will be comforting in your older years. You are doing an amazing job with your family. They are beautiful children and I know Q would be so proud of you and them. God bless you Lori.
Morrisann, thank you for taking the time to share your story and your wisdom. ❤️ My heart aches reading all that you’ve endured. To lose not one, but two husbands, and to walk through widowhood in such different seasons of life, is a journey few can truly understand.
I love what you said—that a ring is a symbol, but it doesn’t make someone more or less married. Every widow’s journey is different, and each of us has to make the decisions that bring peace to our own hearts. There is no one-size-fits-all path through grief.
Thank you for your kindness, your encouragement, and especially for your prayers. Your words about Q, my children, and the possibility of love again touched me more than you know. God bless you, sweet friend. ❤️🙏
My husband Keith gained his Angel Wings January 16th,2025. It was a Honor and Privilege to be Keith for 32 years. We met on Friday March 13th,1992 and We were married 6 months later. At the time I didn’t realize it but I since realized that God knew that We both needed each other.
Keith and his ex wife gave Me 3 of the most Amazing Bonus children I could have ever asked for. I have no intention of ever taking My engagement ring or wedding bands off. Actually I wear Keith’s wedding band on the necklace that I gave him for a wedding gift along with the cross with Jesus hanging on the cross. With another cross with a cardinal that one of my Best friends gave Me 2 day s after Keith passed away. I Thank God every day and still Thank God for bringing Keith into My life along with Our kids.
Actually the cross and necklace was his wedding gift from Me
My husband of 20 years passed away in August 2024. I took my ring off in April 2025 because I had lost a good bit of weight and it was too big. I was scared I was going to lose the ring and want my daughter to have it someday. This was a wonderful read. It has been nice to see your posts and know I’m not alone. I have found a place where grief and joy co-exist. I am thankful to be able to smile, laugh at the memories we made, find joy with my children. God bless! ❤️
Kathryn,
Thank you for sharing this. I think so many widows will relate to what you wrote.
I love that what began as a practical decision—protecting your ring after losing weight—eventually opened the door to something deeper. Sometimes life makes a decision for us before our hearts are quite ready, and then God gently meets us there.
Your statement that you’ve found a place where grief and joy can coexist really touched me. I think that’s exactly what so many of us are searching for—not a life without grief, but a life where grief no longer crowds out every bit of joy.
The fact that you’re able to smile, laugh at memories, and find joy with your children is such a beautiful testament to both your love for your husband and God’s faithfulness through this journey.
Thank you for sharing your heart and for reminding others that healing is possible.
God bless you. ❤️
— Lori
I am not a widow, but a mother who lost her first born daughter at the age of just 39 on 7-13-21. God is Our Stronghold and strength 💪, I gave him praise and Thanks for the years I had with her just only one time. I have worshipped and been on my knees too many times, to count this terrible loss of my child. She was pure joy and such a loving daughter that I have a very hard time Thanking God over and over because I just want to go be with her for eternity. I am going to be 68 and its been 6 years this 7/13. The pain in my stomach every single day, is like a knife being twisted and turned for eternity on earth. I have been told I am so strong but you know what, I am NoT and I put on the Smile and act like I am okay but in reality I WILL NEVER BE OKAY. My daughter, was Murdered and I pray every day for the Lord to let me to finally be at peace with my daughter. Grievance is a lifetime of pure pain and tears that was from someone you loved with all of your heart only to be shaterred and broken until you leave this old world. I really miss the person I was before. No ring, no new car, no amount of clothes or material things matter, I did all of that shopping to forget my raging non stop pain and bought my white Range Rover and went to a woman’s Christian retreat. ✝️ This pain is too deep and will ALWAYS be until I get to celebrate with my Kristin Renee and the good lord. GOD forgives me for being so selfish to want to leave earth to rejoice in PARADISÈ WITH MY LOVED ONES!
Laurie,
Thank you for sharing your heart and your daughter’s story with us. I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of Kristi Renee. As a mother, I can’t imagine the depth of that pain, and my heart breaks reading your words.
What stood out to me most was your honesty. So many people tell those who are grieving that they are “so strong,” but often they don’t see the tears, the sleepless nights, or the ache that never fully leaves. Thank you for giving voice to that reality.
I love what you said about worshiping on your knees through the pain. Even in the midst of unimaginable loss, you continue to cling to the Lord, and that is a powerful testimony. I truly believe He is holding every tear you’ve cried.
Sending you so much love today. Thank you for being here and for reminding others who are grieving that they are not alone. ❤️
— Lori
My husband of 42½ years passed away in March 2023, after a 6-month battle with pancreatic cancer. I am still wearing my wedding ring, but am wondering if it soon might be time. I am thinking of taking my ring and his wedding ring to an incredible jeweller and having him craft a new ring for me to wear on my left middle finger. I love your story here, and will continue to ponder my decision! Thank you!
Virginia,
First, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband. Four and a half years is far too short, and I know how much courage it takes to even begin considering what to do with your wedding ring.
One of the things I have learned is that there is no “right” timeline. Whether you continue wearing it, place it somewhere special, redesign it into another piece of jewelry, or simply keep it tucked away for now, the decision is yours alone.
Taking off a ring isn’t about loving them less. It’s about honoring your grief journey in the way that feels right for you.
Please give yourself grace as you navigate this. There is no rush, and there is no wrong answer. Thank you for sharing your story here. ❤️
— Lori
Hi
My husband died on January 26th 2024. We were together 50 years, married 49 years.
I still grieve everyday. I don’t cry every day anymore, but that empty spot in my heart still hurts so bad. 💔 My ring the band is still on my finger. The 25th year diamond is put up. I wear his band around my neck. I haven’t even considered not wearing it. I will wear it until I die or Jesus comes back. 🙏 This grief road is a hard road, and different I suppose for each of us. I am older than a lot of you are, by looking at the picture. Not sure why that really matters, but i think it might. 🤔
Wanda,
Thank you for sharing your story. Fifty years together is such a beautiful gift, and I can only imagine how deeply you miss him every single day.
I love that you wear his band around your neck and continue to wear your ring. What I’ve learned through this journey is that there is no one right way to grieve. For some, the ring stays on forever. For others, there comes a day when taking it off feels right. Neither choice changes the love we have for our husbands.
I smiled when you said you’ll wear it until you die or Jesus comes back. ❤️ What a beautiful testament to the love you shared.
Praying for comfort as you continue walking this difficult road. Thank you for being here.
— Lori
Until death do us part…Dan’s life had ended, but mine hadn’t.
Peggy,
What a powerful statement.
“Until death do us part… Dan’s life had ended, but mine hadn’t.”
I think so many widows wrestle with that truth. We never wanted this chapter, yet somehow we’re asked to keep living, keep showing up, and keep finding purpose in the days ahead.
Thank you for sharing those words. I know they will resonate with many women reading here.
❤️
— Lori
My husband died in a tragic accident August 2, 2025. He was 58 years old. We were married almost 24 years and together 29 years. I want to save it for my children. I’ve been thinking about not wearing it. It’s actually been at the jewelers getting repaired so I’m kind of getting used to not having it on, but I miss it. I feel somewhat guilty not wearing it. I miss him so much and don’t know how to do this life without him. I continue to go through the motions doing what needs to be done for our children.
Carol,
My heart hurts reading your comment. August 2025 is still so recent, and the loss of a spouse after nearly 24 years of marriage leaves such an enormous void.
I think so many widows understand exactly what you mean when you say you’re just going through the motions for your children. Sometimes that’s all we can do—take the next step, then the next one after that.
Please don’t feel guilty about your ring. Whether it’s on your finger, at the jeweler, tucked away for safekeeping, or eventually passed down to your children, none of those choices diminish the love you shared with your husband.
Thank you for trusting us with your story. You are not alone in this journey. ❤️
— Lori
My husband/best friend, JL, was healed from a short bout w/ blood cancer when he passed on June 21, ’25. I have worn my wedding ring since that date. JL often lavished me during our 26 yrs of marriage w/ rings on special occasions. My plans are to take my wedding & gifted rings together and have a custom ring made from all of them. I know it will be difficult, but through prayer & faith the Lord will guide me through this season.
Melanie,
Thank you for sharing your story. I love how you described JL as your husband and best friend. ❤️ Twenty-six years of marriage is such a beautiful legacy of love.
What a meaningful way to honor both your marriage and the memories attached to those rings. I can imagine how emotional that process will be, but I also love the thought of carrying pieces of those special moments with you in a new way.
Your faith shines through your words. I truly believe the Lord will guide each step of this journey, just as He has carried you through the days since June.
Thank you for sharing your heart here. Sending you love and prayers. ❤️
— Lori